Sunday, July 15, 2012

"Ethereal"

($60.00......6" x 6".....mounted on a 1.50" depth clayboard panel)

"White awakens the ethereal more than any other color." Ethereal is a big word with several meanings. It means light; airy; highly delicate; heavenly or celestial. It is a favorite word of mine and describes many of the looks or moods I like to create visually. The word itself evokes a more spiritual state of mind and being and nothing conveys it better the white.

The white in this piece was my very first consideration, so I mixed up a great deal of Titanium White with Liquitex Pouring Medium. The purple lines of stamping that you see underneath the color were done prior to the first pour.

On very wet 140 lb. HP watercolor paper, I covered the paper with the white mixture, spreading it around with my gloves (you must wear the latex, surgical type gloves to do this) and then held it up and sprayed a bit more water to keep the color moving. Keep rotating the paper until it has a good even coat of white. (Hold it over a shallow baking sheet to keep it from running off of the table.)

The other colors were poured over the white base in thin bands going from edge to edge and leaving a slight space in between. The base coat of white seeped up into the other colors creating the white hazy lines that look almost like smoke. I did tilt the paper a small bit by holding it at diagonal corners. However, if you do this too much, it will cause "over blending" and ruin the effect completely. I then laid it down on wax paper over a glass covered table and left it to dry overnight.

It is important to emphasize (since I haven't been posting pouring medium pieces in a while) that you must lay it on wax paper and allow it to dry naturally. If you try drying with a hair dryer while it's still very wet, you will ruin the pour completely. (And don't keep manipulating it or you will also ruin the effect.) It's best to occupy yourself doing something else, like going to bed and leaving it alone for the night. I've noticed that there is an overwhelming tendency to keep fussing with it! And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.

About Me

I have chosen this venue to give myself a strong challenge of posting daily and moving out of my comfort zone. Although I have done my share of painting and mixed media, I have chosen to combine my favorite things and create 6 x 6's with an emphasis on hand lettering, including my original quotes, expressive drawing and stamped geometric forms. My youngest daughter, Alice, is an English teacher and will also be contributing to the project. Enjoy.